RWC SF: All Blacks - Wallabies

[Shaggy]

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Beyond he A games with Shaggy â€" Pool A qualifiers, New Zealand V Australia, Sunday 16th October, Eden park, Auckland

As I type this blog, having recently digested the feast of the weekend's quarter final action, I am also digesting thanks giving dinner. We celebrate it a little earlier here than our neighbours in the United States to the south. This is only my second thanks giving, having lived most of my life in countries that not celebrate this event.

I guess I am a relative novice to the thanks giving phenomena, but, for those like me who didn't/don't really understand it, the crux of the celebration, in addition to eating lots of food, is to share what you are thankful for. So,in the spirit of the day, what i'm grateful for in rugby terms is that i'm thankful for an entertaining and competive world cup.

From an All Blacks supporters prospective, I'm grateful for the tough game that the Pumas gave the All Blacks in their last match, and that the play didn't go all New Zealand's way. I'm also grateful for the way that the All Blacks responded, and treated that match for what it was â€" a knock out match. This bodes well for the must win semifinal match against Australia in my opinion.

The emphasis on entertaining, running rugby should be retained and encouraged, but the emphasis must be on winning the game by any means possible first. From the Wallabies perspective, they will be encouraged by their ability to have comeback and win a close game against the tough opposition of the Springboks, where they had the minority of possession, and struggled in the scrums and lineouts. They will also have the confidence that comes from having beaten the opposition in their last meeting. Crucial personnel for the Wallabies, will be Quade Cooper, Will Genia, and David Pocock.

Pocock was man of the match against South Africa, and if he can dominate the breakdown, or whether the All Blacks can contain him, will go a long way to determining the winner of the match. Quade Cooper can be brilliant when he's on song, but can also be a bit of a liability if he's put under pressure, as he can tend to be a bit reckless in his play, so, once again, if the All Blacks can exert the pressure, or whether he's allowed to run the game, could determine the winner. Will Genia also has the abilty to control a game, and can turn it if the opposition don't keep a close eye on him for the whole match. He's probably more dangerous to the opposition in a way, because he does see the opportunities, but isn't as reckless as Cooper.

For the All Blacks, the loose trio of McCaw, Kaino, and Read, must build on the performance against the Pumas, and quickly eliminate the mistakes they made in that match. The tight forwards must emulate their South African counterparts by dominating the scrums, and at least achieving parity in the lineouts. As so much of their play revolves around quick delivery from the rucks and mauls, counter rucking, and turnovers, they must also dominate these areas. In the backs, the old firm of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith need to support whoever is chosen to where the number 10 jersey for New Zealand.

If it's Aaron Cruden, or if it's Colin Slade, i'm confident that they will aquit themselves well, but my gut feel is that they might start Piri Weepu, as he is easily the number one goal kicker in the team, and that they might be better served with another experienced player starting in the number nine jersey, such as Jimmy Cowan. The players that have played in the outside backs, have all played well, but I think i'd be happiest with a combination of Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, and Israel Dagg starting, with perhaps Sonny-Bill Williams coming off the bench.

This match could easily go either way, but I think the home advantage will give the All Blacks the edge.

 

[Larksea]

well slade isn't going to be involved and they will start Weepu but in his best position of 9 with Cruden at 10.

Aussie are going to target Cruden as sure as flies live in the outback. To counter that the All Blacks need to set the platform up front well enough that if Aussie do target someone it will leave them open in other areas to inside balls to Jane, Dagg, Kahui.

The lose forward battle alone will be worth watching with Samo's ball carrying going head to head with Kaino & McCaw and the AB's will simply have to come up with a plan to counter Pocock's impact in his role as Aussies first player at the breakdown. Obviously the key point which can decide the game is how this area is ruled by the officials.

While the AB's welcome back a very strong back three combination Aussie will be sweating on the fittness of Beale who has been their biggest weapon not just in this WC but in all games against NZ over the last couple of years.

Jane looks to have found his best form and got his left hand fend pumping, Kahui is solid as a rock and been one of the teams best performers when ever he's taken the field. But for me the Key man in the back three is Dagg. Thrust into NZ's most important game what little we have seen of Dagg at this level has been impressive but he's still only had a handfull of tests. If Dagg can remain solid and come up with some of the regular x-factor plays we are getting used to seeing from him it will be a big boost for the AB's and a +ve start to the "Dagg Era" as we transition from the "Mills Era".

Wallabies will need to hold a line on defense as good or better than last week and when the chance comes up to attack they will need to nail it home. All Blacks build their attacks over time and Aussie's main attack can come from anywhere at any time.

Both teams will look to start strong but I think Aussie may need it more. Staying in touch with the AB's wont be enough they need to get in front because the All Blacks will come on very strong at some point in the game and if that happens when the AB's already have a nose in front it will be hard for Aussie to come back, even more so in front of a Kiwi crowd.

Going to be a hell of a game, I think it will be the biggest game of this world cup - even after it's done.

 

[Shaggy]

well slade isn't going to be involved and they will start Weepu but in his best position of 9 with Cruden at 10.

Aussie are going to target Cruden as sure as flies live in the outback. To counter that the All Blacks need to set the platform up front well enough that if Aussie do target someone it will leave them open in other areas to inside balls to Jane, Dagg, Kahui.

The lose forward battle alone will be worth watching with Samo's ball carrying going head to head with Kaino & McCaw and the AB's will simply have to come up with a plan to counter Pocock's impact in his role as Aussies first player at the breakdown. Obviously the key point which can decide the game is how this area is ruled by the officials.

While the AB's welcome back a very strong back three combination Aussie will be sweating on the fittness of Beale who has been their biggest weapon not just in this WC but in all games against NZ over the last couple of years.

Jane looks to have found his best form and got his left hand fend pumping, Kahui is solid as a rock and been one of the teams best performers when ever he's taken the field. But for me the Key man in the back three is Dagg. Thrust into NZ's most important game what little we have seen of Dagg at this level has been impressive but he's still only had a handfull of tests. If Dagg can remain solid and come up with some of the regular x-factor plays we are getting used to seeing from him it will be a big boost for the AB's and a +ve start to the "Dagg Era" as we transition from the "Mills Era".

Wallabies will need to hold a line on defense as good or better than last week and when the chance comes up to attack they will need to nail it home. All Blacks build their attacks over time and Aussie's main attack can come from anywhere at any time.

Both teams will look to start strong but I think Aussie may need it more. Staying in touch with the AB's wont be enough they need to get in front because the All Blacks will come on very strong at some point in the game and if that happens when the AB's already have a nose in front it will be hard for Aussie to come back, even more so in front of a Kiwi crowd.

Going to be a hell of a game, I think it will be the biggest game of this world cup - even after it's done.

All good points Larksea ... I agree that the Wallabies will want to put the points on the board first, and try to exert scoreboard pressure on the All Blacks ... this has worked for them in the past, and its a lot easier to win that way, than to try to keep close, and win with a last minute try (although their more than capable of doing that too)

It's interesting the amount of talk coming out of the All Black camp concerning the policing of the rucks and what referee Joubert should watch for ... clearly Steve Hansen in particular, is trying to influence the ref into giving away more penalties to counter Pocock's play.

The loose forward battle could turn out to be a bit one sided unless the Wallaby tight five can deliver at least parity in the set pieces, it's a bit hard to play at your best when you don't have a solid platform to launch from ... Samo could have a tough day at the office.

I realise that my comments about Slade are now obsolete, and that the AB management have indicated that Weepu won't be moved to 1st five eighth, but I wrote this blog pretty much immediately after the Argentina game, to maximise the time available for others to comment on it.

... at that stage, Slade hadn't been ruled out ... circumstances have conspired against me

... less Slade, more Donald